DCC Bus Wiring Beginner

in2tech Nov 15, 2017

  1. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    I have watched a lot of video's on wiring for DCC and apparently they call it Bus wiring, when wiring for DCC. Let me first explain what I have. A Bachmann DCC Control System, a 2' x 4' double track design with another 2' x 4' to create an L coming off the main 2' x 4' with a single track at times. A basic picture is below of the track plan although I have spur's or sidings at times.

    Main 2' x 4' section:

    C & L Layout.jpg

    Although I have had layouts off and on for over 30 years, I have never really tried to wire one correctly, and have never wired a DCC layout. Confusing me even more at this point, because I have no reason for anything more than the Bachmann DCC control system, I am confused with the 2 red wires, and of course I cut off the Bachmann end because I am using Atlas code 80 track from years ago and present. Another thing to consider is at some point possibly I will replace the individual pieces with long sectional track in the far, far, future, possibly. And I am not wiring every single piece of track for sure. It's not needed even with pieces of track for such a small layout!

    Obviously I have to add wiring and come up with a color code, maybe red and black, red and green, etc... so I know where to follow. Does it matter which wire I use coming out of the DCC unit to start this as both are RED? And once I do this, say Black is on the outside rail and Red on the inside rail, is that correct and how do I follow it along into the inside loop.

    Can someone get me started by downloading my basic design and getting me started. I think I know how to do it, but do not want to blow up the DCC Command System or any locomotives.

    I appreciate everyone's help with this. And I apologize for my explanation, but I hope you get my question I am asking!

    And is it completely different than wiring for just DC?
     
  2. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Think this answers my question:

    Screen Shot 2017-11-15 at 5.04.31 PM.png

    That's the way I thought I had to wire it for DCC! And it's almost my simple track plan exactly! Hope this helps someone else new to basic DCC!
     
  3. sachsr1

    sachsr1 TrainBoard Member

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    Why not run a shorter bus line right down the middle of the layout, or skip the bus line and just run feeders out from a terminal block in the middle? If it's a 2' X 4' layout the longest feeder would be 2' from the middle?
     
  4. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Yeah I have thought of that. For some reason I am kind of freaked out about this, cause I don't want to ruin anything, Bachmann EZ Command or locomotives. I guess better safe than sorry applies here for me :) I'll eventually get the courage!

    Thanks for the suggestion! Great idea!
     
  5. sachsr1

    sachsr1 TrainBoard Member

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    The only thing you have to really worry about is hooking up all the wires on the right side. You could probably run the whole layout with one point of contact, but a bus wire would be better. I'm using 12 gauge speaker wire, and door bell wire feeders, and I have zero track power issues. I think a single terminal block in the middle would be more than enough, and if you expand you can easily add more wire.
     
  6. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, I have been running the entire layout, including the other 2' x 4' L that attaches to it with not much problem at all really. I just figure I need to at least have 2 feeders on each 2' x 4' section. After saying all that, I do see a slight drop in power to the locomotives from the far end, so feeders will definitely help!
     
  7. sachsr1

    sachsr1 TrainBoard Member

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    I took the pic from the internet, and just changed the text. I would mount this right in the middle of your layout. Terminal Block distribution.gif
     
  8. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the picture to help me with this!
     
  9. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I've standardized on red wires for inner rail, black for outer rail. Green for frogs.
     
  10. Jimbo20

    Jimbo20 TrainBoard Member

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    Yep - that sounds about right! :)
     
  11. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    So since I have the Bachmann EZ Command Controller and it both wires are RED, and I only have one location now connected to the track, if I reverse the wires on the track will it just change direction? Just wondering and once again once I wire it up I'll have a RED wire off one, and BLACK wire off the other, so I know which is the outer and which is the inner wire. Just checking. And thanks for everyone's help on this!
     
  12. Doorgunnerjgs

    Doorgunnerjgs TrainBoard Member

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    It won't reverse the running direction. It is all handled in the decoder. Just pick one of the two and attach it to a black wire and then use the above comments to wire. It will be a LOT easier to ensure you don't mess up! If you attach the black wire to the same rail as a red one, you will get a short which, at best, will shut down your DCC command station until the wiring is corrected.
     
  13. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, I know I am being TOO careful, but was just checking. In fact since basic wiring is the same as DCC ( I've read ) I am just going to use one of my old transformers from the kits, an old DC locomotive and check it with that, and of course removing all DCC locomotives and controller across the room :) That was suppose to be a joke. But I am gonna test with DC first, just to make sure!

    Thanks for everyone's help!
     
  14. Joe Daddy

    Joe Daddy TrainBoard Member

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    As someone has already mentioned, you can run your layout with only a single connection, however, I would recommend you run a 14 gauge speaker wire bus around the outside of your layout with 20 gauge feeders spaced every 4 - 6 feet apart. Make sure you keep your polarity straight or you'll have a short with DC or DCC. I build a wiring channel around my layout constructed of a 1x6 on edge with a 1x2 on each edge. I then fasten the fascia as a cover to hide the wires. I don't like wires under the layout.
     

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